ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Tuesday that the cabinet was informed that despite a rise in cases of the new coronavirus variant - Omicron - the hospitalization rate in the country has increased only one-and-a-half times.
Addressing the media after the federal cabinet meeting, the minister said that while there is no pressure on the health system, the government has decided not to shut down businesses. “All activities will continue and with the help of Almighty Allah we will be able to beat the current wave too,” he said, adding that workers going abroad to earn a livelihood will be subsidized in conducting corona tests and a summary in this regard in the ECC will be introduced.
The minister said that the whole world has appreciated Pakistan's policy of smart lockdown and an international weekly newspaper The Economist also praised the government's policy to deal with the Kovid-19 pandemic. Fawad said the cabinet has approved a draft of comprehensive legal reforms, which will be tabled in Parliament.
He said that under the reforms, it would be mandatory for courts to dispose of criminal cases within nine months and in case of delay, presiding judges and prosecutors would be bound to show cause to the chief justices of the respective high courts.
The police's power of suo motu bail would be strengthened, while a plea bargain clause was suggested for accused in criminal cases, he said and under the new law, the station house officer would be allowed to graduate and a Must be an officer. Post of Sub-Inspector.
He said an independent prosecution service would be launched, forensic laboratories would be upgraded and the latest equipment and tools would be introduced to investigate cases. He said the police were offered to file challans in court within 45 days instead of 14, which often led to compromise in the investigation process.
The minister said that during the briefing of the Ministry of Planning and Development, the cabinet was told that the overall economic situation is stable. Exports grew by 29 per cent, with the textile sector accounting for the largest share, while imports of petroleum products and palm oil were the main reasons for the increase in the import bill. Fawad said that the 35 per cent increase in machinery imports is a positive development, which shows that the long-term expansion in the textile sector is being done successfully.
Regarding PSDP projects, he said, about 18 per cent more funds have been utilized so far during the current financial year as compared to the previous year. He said foreign Pakistanis have again proved their worth, which is evident from the 11.3 per cent increase in their remittances. Fawad said foreign exchange reserves were stable, while the rate of tax revenue increased by 32.5 per cent.
He said that the Council of Ministers gave its approval to give additional charge of Chief Executive Officer of Diamer Basha Dam to Muhammad Yusuf for three months. It supported the decisions of the ECC, including the removal of the 45 percent regulatory duty on imports of pine nuts from Afghanistan. He said the government would pay $11.6 million in compensation to Chinese citizens victims of the Dasu Hydroelectric Project terrorist attack. The minister said the cabinet approved a list of certain items to be exported by Afghanistan to trade in rupees. He said that it has given its consent for the constitution of a special advisory committee on matters related to 5G licences.
He said that Faisal Sherzan was appointed as the executive director of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority. The minister said that the cabinet was informed about giving bonus to federal ministries and divisions for performing well to improve the affairs of the government. Asked about the PDM's latest standoff, Fawad said there was no threat to the Pakistan Democratic Movement's multi-party opposition coalition government.